Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 May 2004
166 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí on duty on 1 May; the number of armed gardaí on patrol throughout the weekend of 30 April to 3 May in Dublin; the type of weapons issued; the instructions given; if each armed officer had the appropriate training in the weapons issued to them; and the cost to the State of the armed aspect of the operation. [14050/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda authorities are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel. They have informed me that there were almost 5,900 gardaí of all ranks working in the Dublin metropolitan region on 1 May.
It is not Garda policy to state how many gardaí on patrol were armed or the type of weapons issued to them over a specific period for security and operational reasons. The costs associated with the armed aspect of the operation form part of the overall costs of the May Day operation. Costs are not available at present.
All members of the Garda Síochána who are armed have authorisation cards and received training in respect of the type of weapon they carry. Only members of the Garda who hold a valid authorisation card are issued, as the need arises, with firearms on duty.
